County Library System Launches Summer Reading Program

Families can keep their youngsters mentally active this summer by participating in Delaware County Library System’s (DCLS) summer reading program, which promises to take readers around the world.

The DCLS and its 28-member libraries present “One World, Many Stories,” a collaborative program that offers fun, educational and interactive programs for children, teenagers and adults.

Readers of all ages will travel the globe at libraries throughout the county, exploring the world through books, stories, crafts, music, dance and other activities focused in three categories: “One World, Many Stories,” “You Are Here” and “Novel Destinations.”

“Why let the cost of gasoline or a plane ticket keep families from visiting distant lands or learning about other cultures? These library programs let people travel the world without leaving home,” said County Council Chairman Jack J. Whelan.

“We used to call it ‘armchair travel.’ The library programs bring learning and fun to the family experience, all while imparting positive educational lessons to our county’s young readers.”

There are three programs that people can choose from.

• In “One World, Many Stories,” young readers can explore the continents through books, learning about the world’s many diverse cultures, people, and traditions. Children will learn about these people and places through stories, crafts, music, dance, and other activities. “One World, Many Stories” is available for children from preschool to fifth grade and offers a wide array of programs, prizes, story hours, reading clubs and more.

• “You Are Here” is an online reading program for teenagers (grades 6-12) who are encouraged to log on to the “You Are Here” website and submit reviews of the books they read over the course of the summer.

Each week for eight weeks there will be a random drawing for various prizes, meaning the more books you read the better chance you have of winning a prize.

Prizes include iTunes gift cards, iPod Shuffles, a Nintendo DS and a Nook eReader.

• For adults, DCLS offers the “Novel Destinations” online program. Adults can use the “Novel Destinations” website to keep track of the books they read, see what others are reading, and become eligible for the grand prize drawing in August: a Nook eReader. “Novel Destinations” runs concurrently with the children’s program so the whole family is involved.

The summer reading programs include live performers at various libraries featuring Allison DeSalvo’s World of Song concert series, Classroom Adventure Stories by Don Dougherty and storytelling by Vicky Town.

DeSalvo’s World of Song children’s concerts incorporate a joyful mix of traditional and original children’s music, international folk songs, storytelling and art. Based in Media, World of Song is highly interactive and lively, with lots of singing, dancing and audience participation.

In Classroom Adventure Stories, Don Dougherty involves the audience with his personalized, interactive stories. He includes all of the attendees in his stories. His latest story, “It’s A Great Big, Really Small World,” introduces children to various cultures around the world and teaches them that we are all fundamentally the same inside.

Vicky Town is a performer who blends humor, mime and audience participation to create a delightful and zany cast of characters. Her stories include international and folk tales, stories of magic and enchantment, as well as stories of the courageous and the clever.

In 2010, 9,253 children participated in DCLS’s summer reading program. They read 298,044 books or spent 384,542 minutes of reading time.

Each library offers unique programs at varying times. Young readers can go on a worldwide safari at the Upper Darby/Sellers Memorial Library, taste foods from various countries at the Lansdowne Public Library or learn international songs at Newtown Public Library, just to site a few examples.

The only passport you need is a library card and the world is your summer playground.

To learn more about the Delaware County Summer Reading Program, visit the DCLS website atwww.delcolibraries.org. Click on either the “One World, Many Stories,” “You Are Here,” or “Novel Destinations” tabs.

People can also call DCLS at (610) 891-8622 or check with their municipal library.